Spring-Ford 10th grader charged with threats at Western Center

LIMERICK — A Spring-Ford Area School District 10th grader who allegedly threatened to shoot other students at the Western Montgomery Career and Technology Center last month was arrested following a police investigation into the incident.

The 15-year-old, who was not identified because he is a juvenile, reportedly told other students he would “shoot up the place” and that “someone is going to get shot,” according to Limerick Police.

Spring-Ford Superintendent David Goodin said the threats occurred Nov. 14. He said the student was disciplined at the time and that authorities were notified of the incident.

Limerick Township Police Chief Bill Albany said that his department was notified of what had happened by the Western Center and “looked into it and the history of the individuals involved.”

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Albany said there was enough credibility to what the student had said and enough of a history that his department decided to bring the case to the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office.

“There were indicators that he had made some threats in the past,” Albany said. “We felt his behavior was indeed threatening and definitely inappropriate.”

Charges including two counts of terroristic threats, a count of harassment and another count of disorderly conduct were filed Nov. 30.

Judge Wendy Demchick-Alloy ruled Dec. 3 in Montgomery County Juvenile Court that the student be detained.

“The judge involved thought it was serious enough for the individual to be incarcerated,” Albany said.

Albany said there were some past “issues at the school,” but Goodin indicated via email Tuesday afternoon that he wasn’t aware of any past disciplinary issues involving the student.

“Certainly nothing at the Western Center,” he said.

The student is being detained at the Montgomery County Youth Center “pending (an) evaluation,” according to the Limerick Police.